Frist and Gerson Today

I grabbed some video with a tiny handheld camera at this morning’s ONE panels at the RNCC. Better quality footage will show up later, but I want to share some highlights with you now.

The first clip below is of Senator Frist introducing the panel and speakers. The second clip is of Michael Gerson talking about his experience crafting PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief).

I didn’t have a tripod of any kind sadly, so if shaky camera movements remind you too much of the Blair Witch Project- you can hold off a couple days until we have the full footage available.

The Continuing Adventures of Brian and Company

In our continued efforts to meet with our respective Congressman during the recess volunteer Dan Donmoyer and I attended a town hall meeting with Congressman Todd Platts in Camp Hill, PA. We made sure to thank the Congressman for his vote on PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and were able to ask him to please do everything in his power to ensure that Congress exercises its oversight responsibilities with respect to PEPFAR regularly.

Congressman Platts took time after the meeting to explain the importance of the appropriations process and added that he is confident ONE members “will help with the follow through” on this important life saving legislation. Let’s be sure we do our part in the future!

-Brian Sweeney, PA ONE Field Organizer

Read about Brian’s previous August efforts here, here, here, and here.

Holding a Meeting with Holden

A little over a week ago, I went with a team of ONE volunteers and ONE staff member Brian Sweeney to meet with Congressman Tim Holden. He was very receptive and graciously listened as we introduce ourselves, talked about our passion for fighting for the world’s poorest people, and talked about ONE’s work in the presidential election. During the meeting, we made sure to thank him for his support of PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief).

At the end, Congressman Holden signed the ONE Declaration and expressed an interest in becoming a PA ONE Honorary Ambassador. All in all, it was a very encouraging meeting.

-Renée Allen, PA ONE Member

Bono On The Passage of PEPFAR

Yesterday afternoon, President Bush signed into law new PEPFAR legislation, finalizing months of work by ONE members, Democratic and Republican congressional leaders, advocacy organizations, foreign policy experts and medical professionals who worked together to pass historic new funding levels to fight AIDS, TB and malaria.

ONE Campaign Co-founder Bono issued this response:

“Americans, whether they know it or not, are literally saving the lives of millions of people in the poorest places on the planet. In the last five years, America has prevented 1 million women from passing on HIV to their babies…funded care for 3 millions AIDS orphans…and provided desperately needed medicine to more than 1.4 million people suffering from HIV/AIDS. You are my heroes and not just for what you’ve done, but for what this new law promises.

This has more to do with hard heads than soft hearts. America’s global AIDS plan has proved to be a smart investment, paying dividends in live saved, communities stabilized and America’s reputation in the world growing a little bit brighter. This stuff works and leaders from left and right — leaders like Senators Biden and Lugar, Representatives Berman and Ros-Lehtinen, President Bush, Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid - put aside their differences and agreed to do more.”

Live Blogging From PEPFAR-Signing at White House

ONE’s Legislative Deputy Director Maryamu Aminu is sending in live updates from the PEPFAR signing at the White House.

3pm:

-Very exciting atmosphere in the east gold room. They usually have state dinners in here.

-The procession just arrived and are standing on stage. Primary cosponsors: Biden, Berman, Kerry, Payne, Sununu, Brownback, Lugar, Lee, Pence, Dybul, and Enzi.

-People in the room:

Africa diplomatic corps and 15 focus-country ambassadors
Mrs Lantos, for whose husband the bill is named
Malaria coordinator- Anthony Zeimer
The African Children’s Choir
Peter Piot, head of UNAIDS

-President and the First Lady just arrived - to applause. (more…)

President Bush Signing PEPFAR Today

President Bush is signing PEPFAR at an event at the White House today. This is a bill that will provide $48 Billion in funding in the global fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria for the next 5 years.

ONE’s Legislative Director Tom Hart sent in this post right after arriving at the signing event:

I’m sitting in the East Room of the White House, with its 3 massive chandaliers and gold trim, as the president signs a nearly $50b reauthorization of PEPFAR. I feel like this room couldn’t be big enough to hold all the support this effort has, especially from ONE members around the country. In DC, we read every day of conflict, partisan bickering and good things stalled. Not today. Republicans, Democrats, Congress, the White House - all found a reason to work together and get this lifesaving initiative done.

As I filed through one of the holding rooms prior to the event, I ran into ONE’s old friend, Agnes from Uganda. What a surprise. The President invited her to this ceremony as one of his “special guests”. Agnes works for this amazing organization in Uganda named TASO, where PEPFAR has supported many many people on ARVs. Agnes is also HIV+, making the signing of this bill all the more meaningful. In fact, the rest of the pomp and glitz don’t really matter…it’s really about Agnes and the millions of others this bill has touched and will over the next 5 years.

-Tom Hart

Does PEPFAR Make a Difference? Ask Samuel and Pedro, Yonatan and Dagmawi.

Thanks to all the ONE members who rallied and contacted their elected officials in support of PEPFAR reauthorization. Last week’s action by Congress will bring hope to millions of children living in countries hit hard by the AIDS crisis. If you are curious about how your actions will trickle down to the country and community level, let me share the stories of four young boys orphaned by AIDS in Africa. PEPFAR is helping them cope with their loss and look to the future.

One country that has been particularly hard-hit by the AIDS crisis is Ethiopia, struggling to meet the needs of four million orphans nationwide. This year, a popular children’s television show, “Tsehai Loves Learning,” has helped orphans deal with grief, while changing attitudes among other young children about children made vulnerable by AIDS. PEPFAR funding made it possible for Whiz Kids Workshop, in partnership with Save the Children, USAID and other partners to produce and broadcast four episodes devoted to helping the youngest Ethiopians understand the issues faced by children orphaned and affected by AIDS.

You only have to see the changes in a little boy named Yonatan, now 8 years old, and his half-brother, Dagmawi, 16, to appreciate how PEPFAR funding is benefiting countless children in Ethiopia. Yonatan was only five when his mother died, but he recalls her death as if it happened yesterday. “He always remembers her, tells stories about her and cries,” says Dagmawi.

Through simple puppets, a little animation and a lot of imagination, “Tsehai Loves Learning” has taught both brothers some valuable life lessons. “That was emotional for me,” said Dagmawi, who watched the first episode about coping with grief with his younger brother. “Not to exaggerate, but tears came up. But it gave me the idea that whenever I’m sad about my mom, I can imagine that I’m talking to her and can tell her that I’m doing ok.” (more…)

PEPFAR Passes the House!

The new version of PEPFAR just passed the House, 303-115!

Now $48 Billion in global AIDS, malaria and TB funding is just one presidential signature away.

PEPFAR House Vote Today

The House vote for PEPFAR is expected this afternoon.

PEPFAR is legislation to fund global AIDS, malaria and TB programs with $48 billion for the next five years.

I’ll keep you posted as we hear updates.

Global AIDS Vote in the House Today/Tomorrow

Last last week, PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for PEPFAR Relief) passed the Senate 80-16. Now we need the new version of the legislation to pass the House. If passed, $48 billion dollars will go toward the fight against global AIDS, malaria and TB over the next 5 years.

We expect the House vote today - and we’ll keep you posted here with updates as they roll in.

………………..

12:10 p.m. UPDATE: The PEPFAR House vote is now more likely for tomorrow.